Bearing allostatic load: insights into a more equitable future within cardio-oncology

Trends Mol Med. 2022 Dec;28(12):1040-1049. doi: 10.1016/j.molmed.2022.09.006. Epub 2022 Oct 4.

Abstract

Chronic stress is often regarded as a significant cause of morbidity and mortality; however, the mechanistic link between stress and various disease states has not yet been fully characterized. We explore the concept of allostatic load, a measurement of the physiological burden of chronic stress, as well as its potential role in disease pathogenesis as it relates to cardiovascular disease, cancer, and health-related disparities. Building from this framework, we then posit the potential implications of allostatic load on patient care and research in cardio-oncology. We identify allostatic load as a potential clinically actionable tool to improve health equity in cardio-oncology.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05176756 NCT05078190 NCT05096338.

Keywords: allostatic load; biomarkers; cardio-oncology; cardiotoxicity; healthcare disparities; social determinants of health.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Allostasis* / physiology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases* / etiology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases* / therapy
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms*
  • Stress, Psychological

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT05176756
  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT05078190
  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT05096338